When Does A Mom Let Go?

With Mother's Day now come and gone, I've had a chance to appreciate how both of my daughters have developed into amazing young women.  Growing up, they seemed so different from each other but, as their relationship with each other changes and matures, they seem to enjoy each other's company and truly have each other's back.

As a mother it makes me proud, but I still feel like I walk the line between giving life advice and letting them chart their own course.  I see this especially with my 21-year-old and her challenges around finding a career she enjoys.

Looking back, as I first helped guide her toward employment, I might have been guilty of pushing her toward what I saw as her strengths rather than let her figure it out.

So, she tried a 4-year college with the intent of a nursing degree but that didn't work out.

Then, she got her cosmetology license because I saw her passion for working with make-up and was sure that was a perfect fit.  Turns out, it was not the right choice.

Now, she is finishing up her AA degree and focused on X-Ray tech school - something she has worked her way toward on her own.

At the same time, she is struggling to enjoy her current part-time job in retail.  And, here is where I enter the picture as a Mom again.  How involved do I get in directing her path?

What I've learned, and what my intuition is telling me, is that I need to let her do this one on her own.  That's not to say I won't give some basic guidance AFTER I've been asked, but I'm less likely to jump in and start spouting off instructions.

I mentioned it might be good to look around for something in the medical field as that is her current interest.  And, I let it drop.  Turns out, that's exactly what she is doing.

She reached out again because she's having a tough time since most places want previous medical experience.  So, I gave her another small piece of advice.  And, I let it drop.

I won't lie that it's been easy to step back and not jump in to 'protect' my daughter.  But, the more I become someone to just talk out loud with about the options, the more I see her grow and tackle the issues that challenge her.

What has really become clear is that, just as the Universe is guiding me when I surrender and follow my heart and intuition, the Universe is also reaching out to guide my daughter.  So, when I talk about stepping back from directing her life, I can feel confident that the Universe is stepping in and taking that spot....and doing a much better job than I could ever do.

Of course, I'm always available for a hug, as needed!

So, today, I set the intention to re-create my definition of being a Mom, giving my daughter the space to discover her life's purpose, knowing she is guided by the same Divine Power that directs my steps each day.

"My mother said to me, 'If you are a soldier, you will become a general; if you are a monk, 

you will become Pope.'  Instead I was a painter and became Picasso."  

~Pablo Picasso

"When nobody else celebrates you, learn to celebrate yourself.  

When nobody else compliments you, then compliment yourself.  

It's not up to other people to keep you encouraged.  It's up to you.  

Encouragement should come from the inside."  

~Joel Osteen

Affirmative Prayer:
In this moment, I close my eyes and surrender to the all-Good that I call God.  It is grace; beautiful and all-encompassing.  It is a Divine Power, forever shining as bright as the sun, unshakeable and strong in conviction.

This Divine Power that knows only love flows through me perfectly and completely.  I am a Divine Expression of the Infinite, seeing and hearing and tasting and touching with the delight and awe and wonder of Spirit.

Connecting completely to my higher self, I celebrate my Oneness with all things.  There is a fullness of Life that shows me how much I am loved and I affirm that there is opportunity for growth in all situations and circumstances.  I know this truth for my children too - that there is a sweet, sparkling Spirit that dances through their life, encouraging them to shoot for the moon, knowing that if they miss, they will still land among the stars.  I welcome the Divine Intelligence that argues for the depth of their potential, guiding them to reveal their unique and special gifts.  I embrace for myself and for my children the knowing that as we take the time to get clear on what we want, Spirit brings those ideas and dreams and visions to life in right and perfect ways.

With joy and peace, I give great thanks that as dreams are uncovered, the Universe guides my steps with purposeful action.  I am grateful for the good that is being revealed in my life.  And I am filled with gratitude that as I smile and share my joy, that joy is returned, filled with the Living Spirit that shows me we are truly One.

From this place of gratitude, I release my prayer to the Law of Mind, knowing that my word is a powerful force.  Love washes over me now.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of Camdiluv/Flickr

Expectations For Prayer

Prayer is an opportunity to make a conscious choice about how you want your life to look.  It's a chance to put your dreams out there to the Universe and let it conspire to help make it happen.

So, what if you're praying for something you want badly and it just doesn't seem to show up in your life?  For me, I went through a period in time where I struggled financially and it seemed my prayers were always about money.

I could see myself living a financially free life.

I affirmed my prosperity and abundance daily.

I gave thanks for my overflowing bank account.

And yet, I still lived paycheck to paycheck, some months worrying if I would make it until the next pay period.  I needed money and was certain the Law of Attraction, via prayer, was going to start showering down all the money I could ever desire any minute.

Prior to this latest 'need' for money, I had no problem being in the flow of abundance.  I had a great job and, with a little hard work, was able to travel and go shopping and eat out as well as the Joneses.
Still, there would eventually come a time when it seemed the money just stopped coming in as easily as it had before.  Looking back, I had somehow fallen into this cycle of earning and spending it as fast as I could earn it.

I believe that's where the Universe finally said, "Enough!"

I believe we are meant to be good stewards of the gifts we are given, financial and otherwise.  When we move away from that, there is a correction from Life that is a reminder to get back on track.  In my case, the reminder was increasing and significant struggle financially every time I fell into the black hole of debt.

The good news: I DID attract someone into my life that has a beautiful nature with money and finances.  He realizes the importance of circulation and giving and saving - all the skills of a good steward.  Once that became clear and I was able to turn money management over to him, my financial life turned around very quickly.

It's allowed me to share my unique gifts from a solid financial platform and now, when I pray for abundance and prosperity, I can simply release it with gratitude, let it go completely, and trust that it will show up.

I have a budget that more than fits my needs.  I still get to travel and shop and eat out.  But the best part?  I have financial confidence in giving again, knowing it will come back to me in right and perfect ways.

I am worthy and deserving of financial abundance.  And I am conscious of the power of being a good steward of that abundance.

Above all, I have faith that my prayers are always answered.  Not in the way I may picture at the time but in a way that brings me around to my desires in a much better way in the long run.  That is something I choose never to forget.

So, where in YOUR life does it seem your prayers are going unanswered?  Is there a lesson to be learned from the unanswered prayer? 

Today, I set the intention to see the gift in seeming unanswered prayer, to learn the lesson and to look for evidence that I'm heading in the right direction.

"Everything is a choice.  This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson.  It is a great 

truth because it reminds us of our power.  Not power over others, but the power to be

 ourselves and to live the life we have imagined.  It is a hard lesson because it causes 

us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now."  

~Matthew Kelly

"You're never too old, it's never too late, and the mistake is never too big.  

Your destiny is bigger than your mistakes." 

~Joel Osteen

Affirmative Prayer:
Turning within, there is a divine and radiant center of Life, an internal light that glows brightly in every moment.  It is a wholeness and harmony that is beauty and courage and grace.  This wholeness and harmony moves through me as Divine Spirit, expanding and experiencing as me as I enter into the fullness of my journey here.

Stepping into this new day with a sense of adventure, I declare that magnificent good is right where I am now.  I affirm that I am worthy and deserving of financial abundance and that as I receive my good, I make wise and beautiful choices in my giving.  Knowing I am always enough, even in the simple things I do, I say a prayer that my desires and dreams are realized in joyous ways.  If there is a lesson to be learned, I get the lesson easily and get on with life.  I welcome the presence of Spirit that guides my prayer from thought to manifestation and I only need to let go and let God.

Remaining open to possibility, I am grateful for answered prayer that unfolds in perfect, Divine timing.  I give thanks that as I relax into the flow of abundance, prosperity is revealed effortlessly.  I am filled with gratitude for my new confidence in being a good steward of my abundance, knowing it is wisely shared from a place of love.

With an open heart, I release this prayer to the Divine Action of the Law, knowing it is already done.  My good is already flowing.  And I let it be so.  And so it is.

Photo courtesy of My Tom Hai Trung/Flickr